February 2011 No-Spend Challenge - the best Valentine is money in the bank! - Page 4

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key:

  no spend/ budgeted spending

  unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending

  hung laundry to dry

February Goals

no spend days  9/20

eating out  3/1

loads of laundry hung to dry  5/8

1. 

2.    DH bought dinner for himself.  There was really no other way around it, but I don't count it against our "eating out" goal b/c it was not the whole family.

3. 

4. 

5.    HUGE spend day!!  Had to take DS2 to the ER for what has been diagnosed a bacterial skin infection, bought lunch out at McD ($18), went to WM to get DS2 a toy for behaving so well in the ER and other things we needed ($32 later), ended up taking DD2 to our dr's after hours clinic when she showed signs of the same infection, bought dinner for our family AND my parents b/c they watched our kids all day so we didn't have to schlep everyone w/ us ($45), plus 2 antibiotic prescriptions ($12).  Ugh.

6. 

7.    Back on the wagon with a vengeance. 

8. 

9.  Took kids to Dr for follow-up for DS2.  Picked up our milk order on the way home (budgeted) and spent an extra $5 for a bottle of chocolate milk for the kiddos b/c they were so well behaved at the Dr's (not budgeted but very much appreciated). 

10. 

11. 

12.    Bought a gift for a last minute b-day party, went to Target to get pacifiers for DD2, ended up spending over $150 on an on-sale printer (ours old one wasn't compatible w/ Windows 7 so I haven't had a printer in over a year), underwear, and a handful of on-sale DVDs.  Probably could have gone without a few of the items we bought, but I'm not going to stress out over it, just get back on the wagon. 

13.    Food shopping, stayed totally within budget.

14.    DH stopped for little candies for the kids and cards $22 

15.  had pizza delivered.  Lack of planning+ exhausted preggie mama+ cranky kid= $32 spent on pizza.  *SIGH*  we're not doing so hot this month

[three&me]

Progress:

Credit cards: $712/2311 paid

Groceries: $128/300 ($108 of this is milk  + $40 bread until we learn to make our own =$150ish other groceries)

Savings: $0/300

Hang-dry: 1/20 (not cloth dipes)

 = No-spend day

   = Budgeted spending

   = Under budget!

   = Unbudgeted/Unnecessary spending

  = Hung laundry

1 

2  DH spent some $ at the convenience store. Movies, and a magazine for each of us. Thoughtful, but he didn't realize I could easily go to the library and photocopy some knitting books rather than pay $$$ for a magazine. Really, this isn't UNbudgeted, as it comes out of his gas money for the week, but he'll probably need to replace that money now.

3 

4  Did groceries. Got 14 loaves of bread for the regular cost of 4! Really happy about that! Then I spent some on clearance baby stuff at Wal-Mart. Things I was going to buy anyway (bouncy chair, newborn mitts, etc) but we'll be returning some of it.

5 

6 

7  Didn't need iron supplements, woohoo! Bought milk & some noodles. $12.

8  I went shopping, final clearance, for some birthday gifts for the boys upcoming birthdays. (March, April, May - getting it done now since I'm due in April) spent $83, but I had returned stuff at Wal-Mart for $40, so only $43 out of pocket, and some great scores.

9 

10 

11  Bought some clothes for the new baby - $24 for 3 2-piece outfits, a dress, and a headband + shipping = $33 off the visa.

12 

13  Went to Zellers to use some gift cards for groceries** & then to get our weeks worth of milk ($27) + some kids lunch stuff and DHs noodles ($30)

14 

15  DH didn't put the deposit down yet.. I did, however, buy the baby's stash of diapers since it looks like the younger 2 won't be out of theirs by then.

16  Bought myself a cute dress for getting married. It's just a city hall thing, but I still wanted to look nice and we have no maternity stores here. It was a buy one, get one free event so I got a pair of jeans too. Hopefully they'll both fit. DH spent $50 to reserve the date.

[beansmama]

2/15 -  Didn't spend a dime...wooo!!!! Almost bought more tracfone minutes. We do need them, but we can wait :)

2/16 - ...we'll see how I do! I already passed up the very tempting groupon of the day (75% off real wood furniture....)

[Motivated Mama]

OK, I'm getting frustrated by the lack of no-spend days, so I'm changing my smilies to necessary and unnecessary. Necessary includes such things as gas, oil, bills, groceries, babysitter, etc.

Key:
Necessary
Unnecessary

2-1
2-2 Coffee
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6 Drinks
2-7
2-8
2-9
2-10
2-11 lunch-out
2-12 take-out
2-13
2-14
2-15
2-16

[FillingMyQuiver]

Originally Posted by Motivated Mama 

OK, I'm getting frustrated by the lack of no-spend days, so I'm changing my smilies to necessary and unnecessary. Necessary includes such things as gas, oil, bills, groceries, babysitter, etc.

This is how I track my "no spends"  I don't consider necessary bills to be "spending".  I also don't consider things that DH and I have sat down, discussed, and budgeted for to be "spending", like homeschool curriculum we've been saving for, or maintenance on our cars that comes out of our car maintenance sink fund.  It's too depressing when you look at your progress and see days that you needed gas and groceries as "spend" days b/c usually, they're necessities.

Key:

  no spend/ budgeted spending

  unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending

  hung laundry to dry

February Goals

no spend days  10/20

eating out  3/1

loads of laundry hung to dry  6/8

1. 

2.    DH bought dinner for himself.  There was really no other way around it, but I don't count it against our "eating out" goal b/c it was not the whole family.

3. 

4. 

5.    HUGE spend day!!  Had to take DS2 to the ER for what has been diagnosed a bacterial skin infection, bought lunch out at McD ($18), went to WM to get DS2 a toy for behaving so well in the ER and other things we needed ($32 later), ended up taking DD2 to our dr's after hours clinic when she showed signs of the same infection, bought dinner for our family AND my parents b/c they watched our kids all day so we didn't have to schlep everyone w/ us ($45), plus 2 antibiotic prescriptions ($12).  Ugh.

6. 

7.    Back on the wagon with a vengeance. 

8. 

9.  Took kids to Dr for follow-up for DS2.  Picked up our milk order on the way home (budgeted) and spent an extra $5 for a bottle of chocolate milk for the kiddos b/c they were so well behaved at the Dr's (not budgeted but very much appreciated). 

10. 

11. 

12.    Bought a gift for a last minute b-day party, went to Target to get pacifiers for DD2, ended up spending over $150 on an on-sale printer (ours old one wasn't compatible w/ Windows 7 so I haven't had a printer in over a year), underwear, and a handful of on-sale DVDs.  Probably could have gone without a few of the items we bought, but I'm not going to stress out over it, just get back on the wagon. 

13.    Food shopping, stayed totally within budget.

14.    DH stopped for little candies for the kids and cards $22 

15.  had pizza delivered.  Lack of planning+ exhausted preggie mama+ cranky kid= $32 spent on pizza.  *SIGH*  we're not doing so hot this month

16.      avoided going to the thrift shop today, although they're having a bag sale and my older 2 kiddos need shorts for summer and pants for next fall.  Maybe I'll head over there on Saturday when DH can watch the kids and I can shop w/out children pulling on me in every direction.

[Turquesa]

Thought you got rid of me, didn'cha?    I'm actually doing quite well, despite my non-diligence.

2/18:  Planned lunch out $10.00, Kotex $8.00 (Gotta try those Mama Pads!)

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key:

  no spend/ budgeted spending

  unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending

  hung laundry to dry

February Goals

no spend days  11/20

eating out  4/1

loads of laundry hung to dry  7/8

1. 

2.    DH bought dinner for himself.  There was really no other way around it, but I don't count it against our "eating out" goal b/c it was not the whole family.

3. 

4. 

5.    HUGE spend day!!  Had to take DS2 to the ER for what has been diagnosed a bacterial skin infection, bought lunch out at McD ($18), went to WM to get DS2 a toy for behaving so well in the ER and other things we needed ($32 later), ended up taking DD2 to our dr's after hours clinic when she showed signs of the same infection, bought dinner for our family AND my parents b/c they watched our kids all day so we didn't have to schlep everyone w/ us ($45), plus 2 antibiotic prescriptions ($12).  Ugh.

6. 

7.    Back on the wagon with a vengeance. 

8. 

9.  Took kids to Dr for follow-up for DS2.  Picked up our milk order on the way home (budgeted) and spent an extra $5 for a bottle of chocolate milk for the kiddos b/c they were so well behaved at the Dr's (not budgeted but very much appreciated). 

10. 

11. 

12.    Bought a gift for a last minute b-day party, went to Target to get pacifiers for DD2, ended up spending over $150 on an on-sale printer (ours old one wasn't compatible w/ Windows 7 so I haven't had a printer in over a year), underwear, and a handful of on-sale DVDs.  Probably could have gone without a few of the items we bought, but I'm not going to stress out over it, just get back on the wagon. 

13.    Food shopping, stayed totally within budget.

14.    DH stopped for little candies for the kids and cards $22 

15.  had pizza delivered.  Lack of planning+ exhausted preggie mama+ cranky kid= $32 spent on pizza.  *SIGH*  we're not doing so hot this month

16.      avoided going to the thrift shop today, although they're having a bag sale and my older 2 kiddos need shorts for summer and pants for next fall.  Maybe I'll head over there on Saturday when DH can watch the kids and I can shop w/out children pulling on me in every direction.

17.    Had to take DS2 to the dr. again and paid OOP for the visit.  Stopped at Whole Foods on the way home, $28 later had probiotics for DS2 and snacks/ drinks.

18. 

19.    Stopped off at the thrift shop, nothing there that fit either of my kids that need clothes.  DH insisted on a car wash for the truck to wash off the winter "cr@p", $12.  State and Fed tax refunds hit our accounts, took the kids out for Mexican, not even sure how much that cost  *sigh* 

[three&me]

Progress:

Credit cards: $718/2311 paid

Groceries: $200/300 ($108 of this is milk  + $40 bread until we learn to make our own =$150ish other groceries)

Savings: $0/300

Hang-dry: 2/20 (not cloth dipes)

 = No-spend day

   = Budgeted spending

   = Under budget!

   = Unbudgeted/Unnecessary spending

  = Hung laundry

1 

2  DH spent some $ at the convenience store. Movies, and a magazine for each of us. Thoughtful, but he didn't realize I could easily go to the library and photocopy some knitting books rather than pay $$$ for a magazine. Really, this isn't UNbudgeted, as it comes out of his gas money for the week, but he'll probably need to replace that money now.

3 

4  Did groceries. Got 14 loaves of bread for the regular cost of 4! Really happy about that! Then I spent some on clearance baby stuff at Wal-Mart. Things I was going to buy anyway (bouncy chair, newborn mitts, etc) but we'll be returning some of it.

5 

6 

7  Didn't need iron supplements, woohoo! Bought milk & some noodles. $12.

8  I went shopping, final clearance, for some birthday gifts for the boys upcoming birthdays. (March, April, May - getting it done now since I'm due in April) spent $83, but I had returned stuff at Wal-Mart for $40, so only $43 out of pocket, and some great scores.

9 

10 

11  Bought some clothes for the new baby - $24 for 3 2-piece outfits, a dress, and a headband + shipping = $27 off the visa.

12 

13  Went to Zellers to use some gift cards for groceries & then to get our weeks worth of milk ($27) + some kids lunch stuff and DHs noodles ($30)

14 

15  DH didn't put the deposit down yet.. I did, however, buy the baby's stash of diapers since it looks like the younger 2 won't be out of theirs by then.

16  Bought myself a cute dress for getting married. It's just a city hall thing, but I still wanted to look nice and we have no maternity stores here. It was a buy one, get one free event so I got a pair of jeans too. Hopefully they'll both fit. DH spent $50 to reserve the date.

17 

18  paid for dumpster. paid in full for our wedding (was budgeting the 2nd half for next month but this works too)

19 

20  groceries. bought toys for the kids birthdays (budgeted, but returning them), and then went to get some carters stuff for baby #4. oops. :)

21  did 6 loads of laundry today! holy cow. still lots to do...

22  milk and other minor groceries

[Motivated Mama]

Something about the end of the month - I seem to fall of the wagon in terms of posting. And I can't remember everyday going back. I know DH bought a new pair of sneakers and that we got coffee a couple of times and I think he might have bought something else, but I can't remember what...so maybe I'll start over this week and continue to keep track through next month?

2-22

[FillingMyQuiver]

I'm dreading this update. We seriously fell off the wagon this past weekend

Key:

  no spend/ budgeted spending

  unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending

  hung laundry to dry

February Goals

no spend days  14/20

eating out  5/1

loads of laundry hung to dry  8/8

1. 

2.    DH bought dinner for himself.  There was really no other way around it, but I don't count it against our "eating out" goal b/c it was not the whole family.

3. 

4. 

5.    HUGE spend day!!  Had to take DS2 to the ER for what has been diagnosed a bacterial skin infection, bought lunch out at McD ($18), went to WM to get DS2 a toy for behaving so well in the ER and other things we needed ($32 later), ended up taking DD2 to our dr's after hours clinic when she showed signs of the same infection, bought dinner for our family AND my parents b/c they watched our kids all day so we didn't have to schlep everyone w/ us ($45), plus 2 antibiotic prescriptions ($12).  Ugh.

6. 

7.    Back on the wagon with a vengeance. 

8. 

9.  Took kids to Dr for follow-up for DS2.  Picked up our milk order on the way home (budgeted) and spent an extra $5 for a bottle of chocolate milk for the kiddos b/c they were so well behaved at the Dr's (not budgeted but very much appreciated). 

10. 

11. 

12.    Bought a gift for a last minute b-day party, went to Target to get pacifiers for DD2, ended up spending over $150 on an on-sale printer (ours old one wasn't compatible w/ Windows 7 so I haven't had a printer in over a year), underwear, and a handful of on-sale DVDs.  Probably could have gone without a few of the items we bought, but I'm not going to stress out over it, just get back on the wagon. 

13.    Food shopping, stayed totally within budget.

14.    DH stopped for little candies for the kids and cards $22 

15.  had pizza delivered.  Lack of planning+ exhausted preggie mama+ cranky kid= $32 spent on pizza.  *SIGH*  we're not doing so hot this month

16.      avoided going to the thrift shop today, although they're having a bag sale and my older 2 kiddos need shorts for summer and pants for next fall.  Maybe I'll head over there on Saturday when DH can watch the kids and I can shop w/out children pulling on me in every direction.

17.    Had to take DS2 to the dr. again and paid OOP for the visit.  Stopped at Whole Foods on the way home, $28 later had probiotics for DS2 and snacks/ drinks.

18. 

19.    Stopped off at the thrift shop, nothing there that fit either of my kids that need clothes.  DH insisted on a car wash for the truck to wash off the winter "cr@p", $12.  State and Fed tax refunds hit our accounts, took the kids out for Mexican, not even sure how much that cost  *sigh* 

20.    Went shopping at Target and Borders.  Got 2, 30pc sets of Corelle dining ware (something we've been looking for but wasn't budgeted this month) for less than $60, also got a few other things I can't remember.  The Borders Books by us is closing, got books for homeschooling, couple toys for the kids, and an IT book for DH, $140.  *more sighs*  Also ate at Five Guys for dinner.

21.    FINALLY!!!  DH and I worked on building beds for our 2 girls.  Didn't get as far as we wanted, but made progress.

22.   

23.    I'm not going to make my No-Spend goal and I went WAY over our eating out goal.

[Surfacing]

Subbing to come back later and join... you're inspiring ladies!!!

[crazyms]

Sorry for not being here for a couple of weeks. Dh was unexpectedly laid off and we use the wireless internet (at campgrounds while traveling for his work) so I was without internet as soon as we went home. I haven't actually tracked my spending/no spending to be able to post here but I've done well since I was looking at having to live on what was in the account for an undetermined amount of time :lol . Luckily dh is back at work but I'm definitely sticking to the no spend and home cooking challenges and trying to get our budget fixed QUICKLY!  just in case this happens again and it could soon. I'll finish reading everything I missed later but I hope everyone is doing well this month.

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key:

  no spend/ budgeted spending

  unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending

  hung laundry to dry

February Goals

no spend days  15/20

eating out  5/1

loads of laundry hung to dry  9/8

1. 

2.    DH bought dinner for himself.  There was really no other way around it, but I don't count it against our "eating out" goal b/c it was not the whole family.

3. 

4. 

5.    HUGE spend day!!  Had to take DS2 to the ER for what has been diagnosed a bacterial skin infection, bought lunch out at McD ($18), went to WM to get DS2 a toy for behaving so well in the ER and other things we needed ($32 later), ended up taking DD2 to our dr's after hours clinic when she showed signs of the same infection, bought dinner for our family AND my parents b/c they watched our kids all day so we didn't have to schlep everyone w/ us ($45), plus 2 antibiotic prescriptions ($12).  Ugh.

6. 

7.    Back on the wagon with a vengeance. 

8. 

9.  Took kids to Dr for follow-up for DS2.  Picked up our milk order on the way home (budgeted) and spent an extra $5 for a bottle of chocolate milk for the kiddos b/c they were so well behaved at the Dr's (not budgeted but very much appreciated). 

10. 

11. 

12.    Bought a gift for a last minute b-day party, went to Target to get pacifiers for DD2, ended up spending over $150 on an on-sale printer (ours old one wasn't compatible w/ Windows 7 so I haven't had a printer in over a year), underwear, and a handful of on-sale DVDs.  Probably could have gone without a few of the items we bought, but I'm not going to stress out over it, just get back on the wagon. 

13.    Food shopping, stayed totally within budget.

14.    DH stopped for little candies for the kids and cards $22 

15.  had pizza delivered.  Lack of planning+ exhausted preggie mama+ cranky kid= $32 spent on pizza.  *SIGH*  we're not doing so hot this month

16.      avoided going to the thrift shop today, although they're having a bag sale and my older 2 kiddos need shorts for summer and pants for next fall.  Maybe I'll head over there on Saturday when DH can watch the kids and I can shop w/out children pulling on me in every direction.

17.    Had to take DS2 to the dr. again and paid OOP for the visit.  Stopped at Whole Foods on the way home, $28 later had probiotics for DS2 and snacks/ drinks.

18. 

19.    Stopped off at the thrift shop, nothing there that fit either of my kids that need clothes.  DH insisted on a car wash for the truck to wash off the winter "cr@p", $12.  State and Fed tax refunds hit our accounts, took the kids out for Mexican, not even sure how much that cost  *sigh* 

20.    Went shopping at Target and Borders.  Got 2, 30pc sets of Corelle dining ware (something we've been looking for but wasn't budgeted this month) for less than $60, also got a few other things I can't remember.  The Borders Books by us is closing, got books for homeschooling, couple toys for the kids, and an IT book for DH, $140.  *more sighs*  Also ate at Five Guys for dinner.

21.    FINALLY!!!  DH and I worked on building beds for our 2 girls.  Didn't get as far as we wanted, but made progress.

22.   

23.    I'm not going to make my No-Spend goal and I went WAY over our eating out goal.

24.   

[Turquesa]

2/24: coffee out

2/25: no spending today!

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key:

  no spend/ budgeted spending

  unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending

  hung laundry to dry

February Goals

no spend days  18/20

eating out  5/1

loads of laundry hung to dry  11/8

1. 

2.    DH bought dinner for himself.  There was really no other way around it, but I don't count it against our "eating out" goal b/c it was not the whole family.

3. 

4. 

5.    HUGE spend day!!  Had to take DS2 to the ER for what has been diagnosed a bacterial skin infection, bought lunch out at McD ($18), went to WM to get DS2 a toy for behaving so well in the ER and other things we needed ($32 later), ended up taking DD2 to our dr's after hours clinic when she showed signs of the same infection, bought dinner for our family AND my parents b/c they watched our kids all day so we didn't have to schlep everyone w/ us ($45), plus 2 antibiotic prescriptions ($12).  Ugh.

6. 

7.    Back on the wagon with a vengeance. 

8. 

9.  Took kids to Dr for follow-up for DS2.  Picked up our milk order on the way home (budgeted) and spent an extra $5 for a bottle of chocolate milk for the kiddos b/c they were so well behaved at the Dr's (not budgeted but very much appreciated). 

10. 

11. 

12.    Bought a gift for a last minute b-day party, went to Target to get pacifiers for DD2, ended up spending over $150 on an on-sale printer (ours old one wasn't compatible w/ Windows 7 so I haven't had a printer in over a year), underwear, and a handful of on-sale DVDs.  Probably could have gone without a few of the items we bought, but I'm not going to stress out over it, just get back on the wagon. 

13.    Food shopping, stayed totally within budget.

14.    DH stopped for little candies for the kids and cards $22 

15.  had pizza delivered.  Lack of planning+ exhausted preggie mama+ cranky kid= $32 spent on pizza.  *SIGH*  we're not doing so hot this month

16.      avoided going to the thrift shop today, although they're having a bag sale and my older 2 kiddos need shorts for summer and pants for next fall.  Maybe I'll head over there on Saturday when DH can watch the kids and I can shop w/out children pulling on me in every direction.

17.    Had to take DS2 to the dr. again and paid OOP for the visit.  Stopped at Whole Foods on the way home, $28 later had probiotics for DS2 and snacks/ drinks.

18. 

19.    Stopped off at the thrift shop, nothing there that fit either of my kids that need clothes.  DH insisted on a car wash for the truck to wash off the winter "cr@p", $12.  State and Fed tax refunds hit our accounts, took the kids out for Mexican, not even sure how much that cost  *sigh* 

20.    Went shopping at Target and Borders.  Got 2, 30pc sets of Corelle dining ware (something we've been looking for but wasn't budgeted this month) for less than $60, also got a few other things I can't remember.  The Borders Books by us is closing, got books for homeschooling, couple toys for the kids, and an IT book for DH, $140.  *more sighs*  Also ate at Five Guys for dinner.

21.    FINALLY!!!  DH and I worked on building beds for our 2 girls.  Didn't get as far as we wanted, but made progress.

22.   

23.    I'm not going to make my No-Spend goal and I went WAY over our eating out goal.

24.   

25.   

26. 

27.    My dad went in the hospital Saturday night,  Spent today at the hospital, $8 for lunch.

28.